Press
DON GIOVANNI
Donna Anna,
SAN DIEGO OPERA
February 2024
“Creamy-voiced soprano Tasha Koontz as Donna Anna and fiery mezzo-soprano Megan Moore as the stalker-like Donna Elvira were excellent as two of the Don’s victims bent on revenge.”
-SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE
“In the role of Donna Anna, Tasha Koontz was excellent. Her voice filled the cavernous Civic Theatre but remained beautiful. She executed some impressive messa di voce effects that helped to highlight the character’s sweetness. Yet, when the time was right, she presented the refined steel of the character set upon vengeance.”
-SAN DIEGO READER
“Soprano Tasha Koontz and tenor Alex McKissick gave the opera’s nobility, Donna Anna and Don Ottavio, the stature and ample vocal prowess appropriate to their social station. From their Act I duet, “Fuggi, crudele,” they commanded their roles with eloquent phrasing and bravura flights through the composer’s demanding fioriture. Koontz subtly navigated her separation from Don Ottavio at the close of the opera with an emotionally devastating “Non mi dir,” and McKissick communicated a fortitude in Don Ottavio that is too rarely encountered in interpretations of this role, especially through his masterful “Il mio tesoro.””
-SAN DIEGO STORY
AÏDA
The High Priestess,
CHICAGO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
June 2019
“Tasha Koontz, in the small part of the Gran Sacerdotessa, showed off a sumptuous, gleaming lyric instrument in her hauntingly beautiful and evocative scene. Hearing her timbrally rich and even singing makes one hope that this soprano of promise can grow into a Verdian of distinction.”
-PARTERRE BOX
“Deserving special note was Tasha Koontz... making her solo debut with the orchestra as the High Priestess. She has a fulsome, penetrating soprano voice and performed with unflappable poise.”
-CHICAGO SUN TIMES
CARMEN
Frasquita,
SAN DIEGO OPERA
April 2019
“Soprano Tasha Koontz and mezzo-soprano Guadalupe Paz, both with local ties, brought warmth and a touch of humor to their roles as Carmen's gypsy friends Frasquita and Mercedes respectively. Koontz has an accurate powerful voice, and Paz sings with smooth agility.”
-BROADWAY WORLD
“One of the great highlights of the
Carmen score is the fleet and fabulous and throughly French quintet sung by Carmen, her gypsy pals Frasquita and Mercédès, and the smugglers Dancaïre and Remendado. There was wonderful work by soprano Tasha Koontz (Frasquita) and mezzo Guadalupe Paz (Mercédès), and baritone Bernardo Bermudez (Dancaïre) and tenor Felipe Prado (Remendado).”
-OPERA WEST
“Also notable as Carmen’s fellow Gypsy women are power soprano Tasha Koontz as Frasquita and supple-voiced mezzo-soprano Guadalupe Paz of San Diego as Mercedes.”
-SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE
“As Frasquita and Mercedes, Tasha Koontz and Guadalupe Paz rounded out Carmen’s social and musical group. Koontz provided secure silvery high notes, while Paz added the warmth of dulcet lows.”
-OPERA WIRE
DIE ZAUBERFLÖTE
First Lady,
CENTRAL CITY OPERA
July 2018
“Apprentice Artists Tasha Koontz, Kira Dills-DeSurra and Melanie Ashkar sang and acted the Three Ladies with aplomb and beautifully blending voices."
-JERNIGAN OPERA JOURNAL
“In the first scene, after the three Ladies punish Papageno for lying to Tamino about slaying the dragon—by putting a lock on his mouth—there is a hilarious sequence where each of them tries to get the other two to leave, so she can be alone with the handsome prince. Throughout the opera, the three ladies intervene as a magical chorus, with sublime harmonies and timely conjuring.”
-COLORADO DRAMA
“The harmonies delivered by the Three Ladies (Tasha Koontz, Kira Dills-DeSurra and Melanie Ashkar), who follow Tamino throughout the opera, are nothing short of divine.”
-MARLOWE'S MUSINGS
“Central City’s magnificent Bonfils-Stanton Apprentice and Studio Artists are represented in the chorus and supporting roles.
Chief among them are Tasha Koontz, Kira Dills-DeSurra, and Melanie Ashkar as the Three Ladies.
Mozart wrote his most luscious harmonies for the Ladies, and this trio never disappoints in their delivery.”
-By Kelly Dean Hansen, Ph.D, Freelance Classical Music Writer
MAHLER'S FOURTH SYMPHONY
Soprano Soloist,
LA JOLLA SYMPHONY & CHORUS
February 2018
"Tasha Koontz was the soprano soloist in the last movement, which naively extols the pleasures of “The Heavenly Life.” Her full-bodied tone conveyed Mahler’s pastoral sentiments..."
-SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE
CARMINA BURANA
Soprano Soloist,
LA JOLLA SYMPHONY & CHORUS
March 2018
“Three soloists of contrasting vocal timbres came and went in the musical texture to give sometimes poignant, sometimes comic perspective to human foibles: soprano Tasha Koontz, with luscious tone and romantic yearning...”
-SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE
LA TRAVIATA
Annina,
SAN DIEGO OPERA
April 2017
“Tasha Koontz sang beautifully as Annina."
-OPERA TODAY